Farewell “Battle of the Bluegrass,” we knew ye well.
With Saturday’s 26-6 Topper victory being the final rivalry game between Western and Eastern in Bowling Green before the Toppers make the full transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A), I believe it is in our best interest to pay our respects for the moment to you, a rivalry that has seen its share of ups and downs.
You began your journey in 1914, surviving two world wars, Western’s near elimination of football in 1994, and division jumps by both teams to Division II and the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) over the decades.
Even through all this, you had perseverance running through your veins like Willie Taggart running through a 3-4 defense.
You have seen legendary names (see: “He Hate Me” Rod Smart) enter pages in your storied history, leaving their mark on the game.
Through it all, you were the longest-running intrastate college football rivalry in Kentucky. Longer than Louisville vs. Kentucky. Longer, and definitely more significant, than Murray State vs. Morehead State.
Though you never saw the limelight of a U of L vs. UK game, that’s what made you special. It was the rivalry’s specialized fanbase of alumni, players and coaches who have experienced it that make it appealing to those who truly appreciated the kind of bad blood that could be spawned over 93 years of competition. It was what kept you going.
With 83 meetings under your belt, longevity was never an issue.
In those games, there have been some memorable moments. When was the last time anyone saw a 1-0 final score in football? (Western won the 1932 game by that score due to forfeit). The rivalry kept things interesting, with 25 of the games being decided by seven points or less.
Even in the recent years, while some crowds at Topper games were scarce, if EKU was on the schedule to visit, a sellout was eminent.
So now, in your final regular appearance in Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium this past Saturday, you had one final chance at glory, and you took it in convincing fashion in front of an over-capacity crowd.
Though for the sake of the spirit, we are only to hope the rivalry will not see its complete end following next season’s game in Richmond. With all the business having to be handled during Western’s transition, most are only optimistic that the “Battle” has not seen its demise.
“I’m sure we will (try to renew the rivalry), but we have not set any time frame to establish any future games,” Athletics Director Wood Selig said. “Right now, we are focused more on the present than the future.”
Though a renewal of the rivalry with Eastern would be in the Toppers’ favor, Selig said the Sun Belt Conference only allows its teams to play Football Championship Subdivision opponents at home, meaning no bi-yearly trips to Richmond for Western.
In the end, you, the “Battle of the Bluegrass” were truly special. You brought people together and pushed them apart.
You will truly be missed.
Reach David Harten at sports@chherald.com.
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